Library as Place

Typically, library design depends on various forms of face-to-face interaction between designers, clients, communities, and consultants; however, recent global lockdowns have had a profound impact on the usual collaborative processes. This session will focus on the paradigm shifts that have occurred in all aspects of library design, including project pursuits, community engagement, design development, contract documentation, and construction.

The presenters will look at how libraries have had to adapt and revolutionize their processes, with a particular focus on the invention of new cloud-based practices that have not just adapted to circumstances, but that have also allowed for meaningful collaboration and creative thinking, resulting in successful library design solutions – solutions that can also point to exciting possibilities for the future. This discussion will therefore also suggest how and why we might seek to permanently adopt and further evolve these new designing-in-the-cloud processes and pandemic-related solutions for the design of all new libraries to come.

In this session the participants will discuss a host of digital strategies they have successfully employed for designing libraries and engaging/consulting with staff and the public remotely. The session will be conducted in Mural, an intuitive program that allows collaborative design, including digital “sticky notes”.

This presentation will be followed by an open conversation about designing in the cloud.

Moderated by AILP Planning Committee members:
Janna Levitt, Partner, LGA Architects
Eric Riddell, Principal SZA Architects